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21/06/2001
IRA DECOMMISSIONING ‘MAY BE RESOLVED’
A SENIOR republican source has said that the arms issue could be settled but not on British terms or by ultimatums from unionists.
However, the statement which made no mention of the a timescale, leaves the position of First Minister David Trimble even more perilous as he has threatened to resign if decommissioning is not achieved by the end of this month.
Mr Trimble hit back at the IRA statement and said that such republicans were “not living in the real world”.
He added: "It is dishonest to represent decommissioning as just a unionist demand.
"It is the requirement of the Agreement backed by the overwhelming majority of people in Northern Ireland and in the republic.
Speaking at an engagement with the Taoiseach in Carfin, Scotland, the Secretary of State Dr John Reid said: "I welcome the reaffirmation from the IRA that they are behind the peace process. As far as the British Government is concerned, we will meet our responsibilities on policing and security normalisation to move this process forward.
"But it takes all of us – and I hope the IRA and Sinn Fein will equally be prepared to give some movement here - to give a bit of reassurance to everyone of that commitment because either we all move forward together on this or we all fall back.
"I think all of us have responsibilities and certainly as far as the Government is concerned we are prepared to move the process forward on security normalisation and to bridge the gap on policing.
He added that he “hoped the IRA and Sinn Fein would be prepared to move further on their part to reassure the people of Northern Ireland and then we can all move forward together”. (SP)
However, the statement which made no mention of the a timescale, leaves the position of First Minister David Trimble even more perilous as he has threatened to resign if decommissioning is not achieved by the end of this month.
Mr Trimble hit back at the IRA statement and said that such republicans were “not living in the real world”.
He added: "It is dishonest to represent decommissioning as just a unionist demand.
"It is the requirement of the Agreement backed by the overwhelming majority of people in Northern Ireland and in the republic.
Speaking at an engagement with the Taoiseach in Carfin, Scotland, the Secretary of State Dr John Reid said: "I welcome the reaffirmation from the IRA that they are behind the peace process. As far as the British Government is concerned, we will meet our responsibilities on policing and security normalisation to move this process forward.
"But it takes all of us – and I hope the IRA and Sinn Fein will equally be prepared to give some movement here - to give a bit of reassurance to everyone of that commitment because either we all move forward together on this or we all fall back.
"I think all of us have responsibilities and certainly as far as the Government is concerned we are prepared to move the process forward on security normalisation and to bridge the gap on policing.
He added that he “hoped the IRA and Sinn Fein would be prepared to move further on their part to reassure the people of Northern Ireland and then we can all move forward together”. (SP)
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28 July 2005
IRA statement in full...
Unusually the following IRA statement was read out by by a former IRA prisoner, and apparently was not signed "P. O'Neill"... "The leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann has formally ordered an end to the armed campaign. This will take effect from 4pm [16.00 BST] this afternoon. All IRA units have been ordered to dump arms.
IRA statement in full...
Unusually the following IRA statement was read out by by a former IRA prisoner, and apparently was not signed "P. O'Neill"... "The leadership of Óglaigh na hÉireann has formally ordered an end to the armed campaign. This will take effect from 4pm [16.00 BST] this afternoon. All IRA units have been ordered to dump arms.
28 July 2008
Republican Threat Level 'Higher Than Any Other'
The threat to the UK from 'dissident' Irish republicans is greater than from any other terrorist group. According to the latest intelligence service surveillance from MI5, organisations such as the Real IRA and the Continuity IRA currently pose a greater danger than even Islamic extremists.
Republican Threat Level 'Higher Than Any Other'
The threat to the UK from 'dissident' Irish republicans is greater than from any other terrorist group. According to the latest intelligence service surveillance from MI5, organisations such as the Real IRA and the Continuity IRA currently pose a greater danger than even Islamic extremists.
18 April 2003
Adams claims IRA response is ‘unparalleled’
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has told a meeting of party members that the IRA statement issued to the British and Irish governments contained elements that were “unparalleled” in republican history. Mr Adams attending a meeting held in a Newry hotel maintained that the IRA statement was both “clear and unambiguous”.
Adams claims IRA response is ‘unparalleled’
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has told a meeting of party members that the IRA statement issued to the British and Irish governments contained elements that were “unparalleled” in republican history. Mr Adams attending a meeting held in a Newry hotel maintained that the IRA statement was both “clear and unambiguous”.
31 October 2002
Unionists not surprised by IRA statement
"Unsurprising" was the reaction amongst unionism today to the news that the IRA had withdrawn from talks with the International Independent Commission on Decommissioning (IICD).
Unionists not surprised by IRA statement
"Unsurprising" was the reaction amongst unionism today to the news that the IRA had withdrawn from talks with the International Independent Commission on Decommissioning (IICD).
06 May 2003
Empey challenges DUP to publish alternative proposals
Former Economy Minister Sir Reg Empey has challenged the DUP to publish their detailed proposals for ‘A Fair Deal’. In a statement, the UUP councillor said that now the Joint Declaration had been published - and with an IRA statement imminent - the time was right to see what alternatives the DUP could offer.
Empey challenges DUP to publish alternative proposals
Former Economy Minister Sir Reg Empey has challenged the DUP to publish their detailed proposals for ‘A Fair Deal’. In a statement, the UUP councillor said that now the Joint Declaration had been published - and with an IRA statement imminent - the time was right to see what alternatives the DUP could offer.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
